April 11, 2009
Christiantennis.net Sights at Sony Ericsson Open
Fans watching final on Big Screen in Food Court.
International Christian Tennis Association exhibitor's booth near Grandstand
Full time ICTA student, David, from Australia, hanging out at Beach Tennis
Beach Tennis mascot getting a pic while Scott Paschal gives interview
ICTA full time student, Luke from Costa Rica, hitting on Grand Stand court
Scott Paschal pic with news crew after interview. Great time bringing ministry in tennis to Miami. This helps open doors for others and inspire them to share their faith through tennis.
David hitting on Grand Stand court. So awesome for ICTA players to attend whole Sony Ericsson Open.
Fun group of people visiting International Christian Tennis Association exhibitor's booth.
Jon hitting on Grand Stand court. Soon to leave for college, Jon is a really special kid with loads of potential to change the world.
Melody Snelen takes a pic with Fernando Verdasco before his match with Andy Murray.
April 4, 2009
International Christian Tennis Association Pics from Sony Ericsson Open
Enjoy some sights from the 2009 Sony Ericsson Open.
Man, have we had a great time shining for Christ to over 250,000 tennis fans from around the world.
We are each exhausted, yet fulfilled.
More soon… scotty
Huge Jumbotron Screen Showed Stadium Matches
Men's Draw
ICTA Gained Record Breaking Numbers of New Members at This Event!
Local TV News Interviewed Me... Great Time Sharing ICTA w/ Miami!
March 29, 2009
Coach Scott Paschal Raising Some Heaven With Christiantennis.net In Miami, Florida!
Roger Federer signed newly designed and embroidered ICTA God is Good Baseball Cap for ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team Fundraiser
Women's Draw and Stadium
ICTA President, Scott Paschal, introducing ICTA Global Outreach to tennis fans.
ICTA Global Outreach has a fantastic location near the Grandstand, Beach Tennis, Fila Touring Camps, and Royal Caribbean Cruises!
Tennis fans worldwide have joined ICTA Membership. Christian books are travelling worldwide! A body of believers is gathering!
Melody Snelen, ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team member, giving away ICTA God is Good fans. These fans have John 3:16 on the back and information on ICTA's Travel Tour packages to 2009 US OPEN!
View from inside ICTA Outreach booth as people excitedly join ICTA Global Membership
ICTA Full Time Academy Student, Mark (from Mexico), setting up ICTA Global Outreach booth.
Stadium
August 17, 2008
ICTA Outreach in Rome, Italy
Rachel Snelen, ICTA Women’s Pro Tennis Team Captain, is in Rome, Italy leading a foundation-laying missions’ outreach!
Rachel Snelen and the team landed yesterday and, after locating their hostel and taking a short nap, began scouting out Rome. Today, she mentioned they took a 2 hour bus tour of Rome and she commented on the hugeness of the Vatican.
This outreach is a big deal for International Christian Tennis Association as we prepare for future tours of the Italian ITF Pro Circuit with our Christian pro tennis players.
Please keep Rachel Snelen and the team in your prayers. She is taking pictures and writing a journal to share with you.
God bless,
Scott Paschal
International Christian Tennis Association
August 5, 2008
Welcoming France, Africa, and Costa Rica to ICTA’s Christian Tennis Academy
Scott Paschal, ICTA President, flying home!
This has been a fun 7 days!
Just came back from a 3 city missions’ tour with Anastasia and Melody. Then went with my entire tennis academy to an awesome Christian conference in Orlando where my friend, David Nasser, spoke twice!
How awesome is that!?? Pro tennis, Christian outreaches for world class athletes, and Nasser speaking… twice! Me and the guys took my Jeep to Orlando. I had a blast.
In addition we also welcomed in a new player from France, and spent some time with a wealthy and influential friend who wants to help ICTA grow…
…and I just received my phone which had been lost for a few days in Atlanta’s airport!
Did you notice I mentioned a new player from France!? I’ve never coached a player from France before.
Melody Snelen (USA) and Anastasia Kharchenko (Ukraine), of ICTA Women's Pro Tennis Team, wearing their exclusive ICTA Pro Team jackets in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Her name is Melissa. She has been planning her trip here for several months. I’m so excited God is using tennis and ministry as a bridge to strengthen Melissa’s faith!
We’ve enjoyed getting to know her. Melissa is 18 years old and a solid tennis player. Her English is pretty bad, so it’s been fun watching everyone teach her our language!
This weekend another new player is coming in. His name is Luke. He is from Costa Rica. I’ve been looking forward to Luke’s arrival for a few months now! He sounds like a really neat kid.
Luke’s mom is bringing him, and she will stay with us for a couple days before flying home.
Mark, ICTA Student Since 2006, from Mexico Competing in USA Tournament. Mark's Parents Are Missionaries.
Both of Luke’s parents are missionaries in Costa Rica. The plan is for Luke to train with me for a year. He is going to have a blast!
A special friend of mine from Lagos, Nigeria contacted me about coaching his son for a couple weeks before he begins working out with his new college tennis team in North Carolina.
I’ve agreed and look forward to his arrival.
France, Costa Rica, Africa… joining our summer class of Mexico, Ecuador, Indonesia, Australia, USA, Japan, and Ukraine! Ten countries will be represented here this summer semester! Awesome, really awesome!
David from Australia, ICTA Student Since 2007. David's Dad is a Pastor.
And if you knew this group of kids, you’d know what a truly amazing group this is and how this time in their lives, and mine, is really special.
This season of my life really has been incredibly special.
God has allowed me to disciple so many kids from around the world. I’ve had the rare opportunity to be part of the life stories of the next generation of Christian leaders… we’ve worked hard together, we’ve laughed together, we’ve cried together…
… and we’ve created friendships to last a lifetime.
I do fully realize this season will come to an end, and that God will direct my time and energies towards His further direction for my maturity as His follower.
That said, I am 100% relishing every moment I have right now!
God has blessed me with friends, enemies, students, good health, an international sports ministry, my mom and brother, good and bad times, a pastor and church I love, a fantastic neighbor/friend…
… I know I’m blessed.
I really do.
My life is truly an example of what God can do with someone completely worthless and undeserving….
God bless,
This Funny and Silly Japanese Gal Has Been Here Since 2007!!
Scott Paschal
Anastasia from Ukraine. ICTA Student Since 2006
Australia, Japan, Mexico!
Linds (USA) and Josh (my 12 year old student from Ecuador)
June 7, 2008
Ana Ivanovic: The Match is Burning
Congrats go out to Ana Ivanovic for winning the 2008 French Open!
In straight sets Ana Ivanovic crushed Dinara Safina 6-4, 6-3 to not only claim her first Grand Slam title, but also establish herself as the #1 WTA player.
A couple years ago my friend, Gene Scott, the now deceased founder of Tennis Week Magazine, once mentioned he believes he found the next big thing in women’s tennis.
He described the potential of Ana Ivanovic to dominate the sport.
As Gene was among the most influential men in the global tennis industry, people took note of what he said.
For me, since Gene was a member of the International Christian Tennis Association, and we were hanging out together in the Bahamas talking about how to make my seemingly impossible dreams for ICTA come true, I also listened to what Gene had to say.
Gene was right. Ana Ivanovic is unbelievable…
Yet, can I say something here? Though I think Ana Ivanovic is amazing, I’m really concerned for her.
Justine Henin just quit. She walked away from the sport as WTA #1. Her mind, body, and spirit were broken down. Now, a new player takes her spot.
The pressure now goes on a young, unsuspecting Ana Ivanovic.
And I can’t help but think about how poorly Serena Williams has handled the pressure as she has aged, even recently posing nude for a Jane Magazine photo shoot… which ended up in your child’s Tennis Week Magazine.
Hopefully, a nude Ana Ivanovic isn’t part of the mix, though many provocative pictures of Ana Ivanovic half-naked have surfaced recently as the global tennis industry, WTA, and Ana Ivanovic’s sponsors seek $ from using her body to promote agendas, such as making tennis sexy.
Let’s make it a point to keep Ana Ivanovic in our prayers. As her fame grows beyond her wildest dreams, she’s going to need people in her corner in prayer. I’d like to ask for our ICTA membership, which encompasses over 1800 cities in 65 countries worldwide, to come together in prayer…
And let’s pray not just for Ana Ivanovic, but the entire WTA Tour.
Pray for the people who work in the WTA Tour offices, pray for the coaches, pray for the nearly 1900 WTA players…
My dream is for WTA to become a beacon for all that is positive in women’s sports.
Currently, unfortunately, WTA is known as a beacon for “sexual preference.” As WTA follows in the footsteps of its founder, Billy Jean King, I can see how and why this has happened.
I’d like to see a day when “sexual preference” in WTA is replaced with Godly principles and Kingdom minded actions. Plenty of people within WTA are Christian and are International Christian Tennis Association members. Each can have a direct impact for Christian equality in WTA, even if some of their influential co-workers seem to be God-a-phobic.
Listen, if a person is allowed to stand up and openly discuss how she prefers to have sex with other women, then you darn sure had better be allowed to stand up and openly discuss your love of Jesus!
If not, call me! We have plenty of friends who are Christian attorneys who will use their expertise to protect your rights, often at no financial cost to you.
And FYI, one of my friends and mentors in tennis back in the mid ’90s was a lesbian… and I have a ministry to homosexuals… so you God-a-phobes and heter-a-phobes out there don’t even think about bashing me and playing the “are intolerant” card!
YOU are intolerant… and I have EVERY right to my opinions and preferences.
And, I don’t want to here from the self-righteous “Christians” out there, either, who can’t the the logs in their own eyes…
I’m simply stating that I’d like to see Jesus be the famous one in the sport.
Two wrap this up, International Christian Tennis Association has reached well over 20% of the top 200 WTA players. A strong Christian base is being created and gathered and motivated for positive change in women’s tennis.
Players are unhappy with the WTA status quo. ICTA seeks to bring the religious faith of WTA players, even if different from Christianity, to the forefront.
Players want Chaplains at WTA events. Players want to be protected from bully tactics by “sexual preference” people in positions of power within WTA and the ITF Pro Circuit. Players want change.
WTA players, their coaches, their families, their sponsors, and their friends are beginning to rise up and pray.
In my eyes, Justine Henin has been a beacon for all that is right and all that is wrong with the Women’s Tennis Association.
To Ana Ivanovic I’d like to ask her to focus on learning all she can about Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind.
Now that she is at the top, the match is burning.
My prayer is she doesn’t get burned.
God bless,
Scott Paschal
International Christian Tennis Association
May 25, 2008
ICTA Christian Tennis Association Party @ Disney Hollywood Studios MGM
International Christian Tennis Association headquarters is based in Florida, and pretty near Disney World. During some down time in between ICTA mission trips and academy semesters, we decided to visit Disney Hollywood Studios!
What a great time we all enjoyed.
Pictured here to the right is me and Lindsey (she’s also pictured above pushing me in a wheelchair). Lindsey’s Dad, Kevin (pictured above) is my good friend of many years.
He is a medical doctor, and a solid 5.0 tennis player. I bought him his first Bible. What a privilege.
We are so alike it is ridiculous… same age, same weight, same height. God brought us together years back, and that’s when I met Lindsey! I’ve known her since she was just a little squirt in elementary school….
Now, Lindsey is a full time student at my academy and my house is pretty much a second home for her.
As Kevin and I are so much alike… and since I’ve known Lindsey for so long… I’m basically an adopted uncle.
Honestly, it is such a special honor to be involved in shaping and molding the lives of the next generation.
I know God placed special people in my life when I was a teen, and now it feels awesome to be able to be used by God to give back!
While some of my academy students won’t be here til the summer semester begins in a week or so, several are here 
and we all enjoyed hanging out together.
Anastasia Kharchenko (on left w/ Melody Snelen) is back home with me getting some rest after many weeks on the ITF Pro Circuit competing in pro tennis tournaments, and serving on the ICTA Women’s Pro Tennis Team.
Ana is my “adopted daughter” from Ukraine and a new Christian. She loves Jesus so much and wants to share her knowledge of Him to other players on the pro tour.
This year, 18 year old Anastasia earned her WTA pro ranking, and won two ITF Pro tournaments. And a week or so ago she played a player ranked around WTA #180 and lost a close one… 6-2, 7-5, which gave her some confidence she can compete at that level.
Currently, Ana is on her way to South Carolina to begin a 6 week tennis and missions tour with the ICTA Women’s Pro Tennis Team that will take them from South Carolina to Texas to Kansas to Boston. Please keep them in your prayers as they seek to share Christ with those placed in their path.
This neat guy is Aussie, a nickname we gave him because he’s from… you guessed it, Australia.
Aussie is awesome! What a special, unique personality he is. Aussie’s dad is a pastor, and they own a farm. I’ve coached Aussie full time for about a year.
He and Mark (Mexico) share a room in my house and have become like brothers. They have certainly formed a bond that will last a lifetime.
Aussie has amazing parents. They love our entire tennis/missions academy program, and are thrilled Aussie has grown in so many wonderful ways. Here is an email they sent me last week…
Hi Scotty,
Thank you so much for your email. Our communication with you is way overdue..sorry! We pray for you all daily. David is missed here also, but know without a doubt that he is where the Lord wants him, knowing he is being very well looked after, challenged and guided in life. Thankyou for all that you are doing for him and each of the others. We love to hear about everyone at ICTA.
We know David has mentioned this to you, but would like to ask if it is OK if his sister, Tish, can come and stay with you for a few days. They will fly into
Daytona Beach… Tish is so looking forward to meeting you all – I hope having two Aussies isn’t too stressful for you!!
At your convenience, we would love to hear of David’s on and off-court progress, and any ways we can encourage and guide him from a distance.
Thank you again so much.
God bless you and all you do.
Rich & Eilie
So great to have healthy, solid Christian parents sending such special emails of support. It is incredible for me to realize International Christian Tennis Association is having such a discipleship impact for the Kingdom!
Pictured here is ICTA Women’s Pro Tennis Team captain, Rachel Snelen (left), with “Lucy.”
Lucy’s story is amazing! She came to me not quite a year ago… and she was highly suicidal. Coaches, and life, had treated her pretty horribly.
Boy have things changed! Lucy is on-fire for life! Every single aspect of her young personality has improved, and she is an inspiration to all of us.
She is even an inspiration to her atheist Dad! He is amazed at the transformation taking place in her! In fact, three weeks ago he flew in from Japan. We talked at length through a translator. He asked me to coach Lucy for the next 5-6 years, and was so grateful for my work. I was almost in tears…
He is even interested in investing in condos at a tennis facility we build, if ICTA ever builds one. Since he owns a bunch of Japanese restaurants in South America, I take his investment interest as a great compliment.
(pic of me looking at Walt Disney, one of my favorite people and examples!)
It has taken me nearly 10 years to build International Christian Tennis Association.
As I look around for the fruit of my labor, I have to look first to my academy/missions kids. What a treasure they have been in my life.
Generally, I’m not a person with much patience, and I prefer to have plenty of space around me. But, God invaded my life through kids from 15 countries and 14 US States… kids who have camped out in my house… and ate all my food… and constantly hang around me… and God taught me so much through them I can’t begin to tell you in a simple journal entry.
10 years is a long time. I’ve learned a lot and I’ve grown a lot. Hopefully, I’ve helped some people along the way.
Whatever God has coming up for me in the future, whether it’s with International Christian Tennis Association or not, the last 10 years have been good. Like I said, I’ve learned a lot.
God bless,
Scott Paschal
International Christian Tennis Association
May 21, 2008
Justine Henin’s Shocking Retirement: WTA Flaws Exposed by Tennis Star
Justine Henin, the #1 ranked WTA player, launched a huge, international statement directly at the WTA on Wednesday by quitting as a professional tennis player.
Without warning, the tennis world’s #1 female player looked straight in the WTA’s eyes and forced them to finally listen to her.
Never before in the history of women’s professional tennis has the #1 player walked away!
Magazines and newspapers and TV shows are quickly spreading the “shocking” news…
I wasn’t shocked.
Over and over during the last year, Justine kept telling the world she was getting fatigued.
The tennis gods refused to listen….
And it seems they’ve refused to learn, as well. Instead of looking inward to see what responsibility they have in this terribly embarassing situation, they smoothly moved Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic to the front of the line.
I wonder if they asked young, unsuspecting Ana Ivanovic if she wanted a blindfold and a cigarette.
As much as Venus Williams changed women’s tennis, Justine Henin also brought hope. She reminded us all that heart is important.
She was a tiny giant among towering tennis superpowers… such as Lindsey Davenport, Venus and Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Jelena Jancovic….
The tiny giant brought the tiny female players worldwide back to tennis… the ones who had became discouraged and quit when height took over the sport. Yet, our tiny giant needed rest, and none was allowed by the tennis gods.
When a player becomes injured, the WTA protects their ranking while they heal from injury, thus when the player recovers she can pick up where she left off. I had written an article recommending the WTA allow a player the same protection for mental fatigue recovery, or physical recovery before a major injury occurs.
The tennis gods refused to listen….
Justine Henin’s Mom died when Justine was in juniors.
The tennis gods refused to listen…
She didn’t speak to her Dad for 8 years.
The tennis gods refused to listen…
I remember when she got married. I also remember last year’s divorce.
The tennis gods refused to listen…
Recently, instead of offering players more freedom to rest, the WTA chose to force top players to attend more tournaments by stiffly fining players who pulled out of events.
The tennis gods also made Indian Wells and Miami (world’s 5th and 6th largest pro tournaments) mandatory for players to enter. These two 2-week long events are played back to back.
Immediately after announcing her retirement, Justine Henin demanded her name be completely removed from the WTA ranking list! That statement was huge. Embarrassingly to the WTA, their heavily marketed Maria Sharapova was moved to the #1 spot without having earned it.
For once in a long, long time the tennis gods have been forced to listen….
Justine Henin’s statement is huge.
Professional tennis is about $. Anyone who thinks differently is clueless. The WTA and ATP worship the almighty dollar. Image is everything and players are simply the product. They are cattle to be used to feed the masses.
Troy Aikman, the Hall of Fame quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys and winner of 3 Super Bowls, blasted the NFL in the ’90s by saying he believes the NFL players are nothing more than prostitutes for the NFL….
Could the same be said by female professional tennis players towards the WTA… that players are simply prostituted to the masses as a source of entertainment and revenue?
The WTA seems to claim to be an organization designed to represent the players’ needs. Is this happening?
The #1 WTA player in the world, and arguably one of the best female players in history, quit!
She demanded her name be removed from the WTA rankings!
As the WTA’s public relations people quickly move into position to keep the public from seeing the real issues, tennis fans worldwide will begin to see the WTA heavily pimp their next prostitu.., excuse me 😉 … promote their next player, which looks to be Ana Ivanavic.
I have little doubt Ana Ivanavic will be gone at 23 or 24 years of age. Her body will be broken down, her mind exhausted, her spirit broken. Like Kim Clysters and Anastasia Myskina, she will crave a real life and love from people who treat her like a human being.
So, what is there, really, with the WTA? New players simply replacing the old? What do tennis fans truly invest in… why even bother falling in love with a WTA player’s game when you know she’s soon worn out?
The #1 female player in the world just quit! She walked away and asked to have her name removed from the WTA computer rankings! She said “no” to millions of $ in prize money, said “no” to millions of $ in sponsor money….
The Women’s Tennis Association must stand up and take notice of their champion walking away, and they must be willing to take some responsibility for their part in her decision.
I’m no brain surgeon, but I do know that when a champion even hints they are tired, they should be listened to and help should be given. When a champion hints changes should be made to help the other athletes, they should be listened to.
When a young person is in trouble, those in a position to help should help.
Take away the facade of tennis.
A kid was hurting. Her mother is dead. She was estranged by her father for 8 years. Last year, her marriage fell apart in divorce. Basically, her only family is her long time coach, Carlos.
Young girls worldwide chase the dream of becoming the #1 WTA player in the world….
Why? Is it for fame and fortune? If so, they are chasing a rainbow’s pot of gold.
The vast emptiness at the top of women’s pro tennis is a wasteland of pain, isolation, and doubt. For the very few who reach financial security, it comes with a cost. Possibly a cost too steep to pay.
What is the answer? Easy.
Jesus Christ.
Without question, placing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of her life will change the lenses from which life is viewed.
It seems the WTA has worked diligently to allow a player’s sex life and sexual preferences take Center Court.
Yet, if one mentions Jesus Christ, or even the spiritual needs of players from all religions, the WTA gods quickly cry foul.
Did you know not even one Christian Chaplain is officially allowed in players’ areas at tournaments? Why? How can this be?
We talk all day about the technical and tactical game of tennis. We discuss nutrition and fitness. Mental training is a hot topic. But, as much, if not more, than any of these is a player’s spiritual fitness.
Without question, Chaplains from every major religion must be allowed access to the players, coaches, tournament staff, volunteers, media, and fans who want them there.
Terrorism, isolation, mafia, constant worldwide travel, lack of family stability… WTA and ATP players need guidance…. spiritual guidance. And the guidance shouldn’t come from the tennis gods….
When will the giants of tennis past step up and lead? When will our current and former Grand Slam champions reach out for the next generation with the message of hope that is Christ? When will Jesus take center court in tennis?
In America, when will hiding behind political correctness to protect your reputation be a thing of the past? Christians worldwide are being martyred at record pace… they’re being murdered daily for their faith in Jesus… they’re being tortured… and they refuse to back down!
That’s how the 12 disciples did it. That’s how Jesus did it.
Yet, in tennis, including past American tennis greats, we have a bunch of geldings worrying about their reputations.
It’s not supposed to be easy and it’s not supposed to be fun and it’s not supposed to be cool. You are a Christian, a follower of Christ… you are heavily involved in a spiritual battle… you have work to do.
Stop hiding, stop whining, stop being politically correct.
Stop trying to be “cool” hoping your “coolness” will “win people” for Christ. It doesn’t work. Worldly techniques can’t effectively fight a spiritual battle.
Tell this lost generation about Jesus. Start sharing the Gospel. The Holy Spirit will convict those you speak to. Start using your influence to bring the name of Jesus to all people groups worldwide.
Learn to understand how a small band of Jewish brothers sent the name of Christ global. Learn to understand how followers of Christ in Rome stood strong, spoke of their faith in Jesus, refused to waver in intense persecution… and conquered the most powerful nation of their day.
Honestly, I wonder if Jesus would be sitting in a box seat being celebrated during the US OPEN.
Without question, I understand I’m a little nobody in ministry and in tennis. Let me make that clear. I’m in no way the authority on anything, and I can see much improvement I need to do in my own walk with Christ.
And maybe in some ways I’m not seeing the whole picture here. But, that said, you can’t really make much of an argument that I haven’t worked my tail off with the resources and knowledge, however limited, I’ve had at my disposal.
I make mistakes, and I’ve worked to learn life lessons. I’m not even hinting at any type of perfection in my life choices.
What I am saying is when a large platform is offered, Jesus Christ should be the One being celebrated.
Players, coaches, fans… former Grand Slam Champions… should make Jesus’ name and story the focal point. Ask yourself why “sexual orientation” is all the rage, yet Jesus is viewed with hate and anger.
Justine Henin’s retirement shocked the world. Yet, there is a bigger picture here.
The tennis world is void of meaning. The purpose of tennis is void of life. $ and power last just so long, then a need for meaning becomes crystal clear.
If you have influence in tennis, you can have a real purpose beyond yourself.
And, if you are a nobody like me, you can have influence to. Just read the Bible and strive to do what it says.
It’s really that simple.
Read the Bible and strive to do what it says…
God bless,
Coach Scotty
International Christian Tennis Association
April 28, 2008
How to Kick Satanic Tail 101: Scott Paschal’s Rediculously Raw Look @ What Should Be Obvious to Every Christian
As a teen, I had a few pretty straightforward questions…
“Why did my Christian parents divorce?”
“Why did my Christian dad commit suicide in my car during the weekend of my 17th birthday?”
“If God is so good, why is my dad dead?”
“Why do Christians talk about how great Heaven is… but no one wants to die!?”
“Why do Church kids treat me like crap?”
As my young life was being pounded, I asked these questions to people at my church.
(pic of me in Benin City, Nigeria w/ friends during ICTA Africa Outreach)
I quickly learned church people had no idea what to say. Mainly, they would give me blank, troubled, or dirty looks.
I was hurting and needed someone to step up to the plate and go to bat for me. I needed real, authentic answers.
Unfortunately, the people I spoke with had not been educated in spiritual warfare or the defense of Christianity in any substantial way, thus were at a loss to know how to guide me.
I was a lost, confused, hurting kid doing what he could to find answers… I didn’t turn to drugs, sex, alcohol… I turned to the church, and I was terribly let down.
I thought the church could help me uncover the answers, instead the church helped me uncover its own lack….
Can I say something raw here?
Do you, personally, have any idea why you are Christian?
I mean, do you have any real facts about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, or; are you simply a “believer” because your parents, friends, or pastor basically led you down that road without giving you the opportunity to question anything?
If that was the case, what if your parents had taught you to howl to a full moon and drink gopher blood to celebrate the birth of the Goomba god? See my point here, right?
If you are a follower of Christ, thank God! I am so glad and thankful.
But, honestly, just being a “follower” isn’t enough, and it’s not getting the job of advancing His Kingdom done. You’re in the middle of a spiritual war…
By knowing Jesus, you will understand the spiritual battle you are in, whether you currently see it or not.
And that is what this blog is all about… learning powerful aspects of how Jesus teaches us to advance His Kingdom on earth.
Most of you who know me have a clear understanding that I tend to wear my thoughts and emotions on my sleeve.
Much as it was easy to read Andre Agassi’s emotions as he played tennis, so it is with me in ministry….
In 20+ years as a tennis coach and nearly 10 years as the founder of a sports ministry, I’ve seen a lot of bad stuff, really bad stuff.
Basically, I’ve seen Satan running unchecked in tennis worldwide, and, as I began preaching and speaking to churches and groups, I’ve seen Satan masterfully taking control of the church as well.
That said, this fool, without a formal seminary education, or really any formal ministry schooling at all, is going Martin Luther on some satanic “Christian habits” which are trying to keep your eyes shut, ears closed, and hearts cold.
With the tenacity of Nadal, the raw honesty of Agassi, and the serve of Sampras, I hope to wake and shake up those people God places in my path. If you don’t like what I’m writing and teaching, honestly, I don’t care. I’m not doing this for your approval. And, honestly, you might be part of the problem….
The following is a summary of what I’m going to try to explain in How to Kick Satanic Tail 101. The full scoop will be laid out in its entirety over at ICTADevo2008 , when I’m finished writing The Spooky Naked Guy Chronicles.
For now, tell your friends that I’m beyond sick and tired of Christians who have no idea, first of all, of why they are even Christian; second of all, they aren’t being taught squat about how to not get blown to bits in the spiritual war; and thirdly, refuse to take their heads out of the trendy “Christian sand” in fear of offending someone heading straight to hell.
Below is the outline I’ve created to help get those interested in advancing His Kingdom and being successful in the Spiritual War better prepared to follow the Great Commission as written by Mathew in chapter 28.
How to Kick Satanic Tail 101:
The Nature of the War
Two Opposing Kingdoms
Satan’s Headquarters
Battle of Angels
The Weapons and the Battlefield
The Basis of Our Victory
Our Defensive Armour
The Full Armour of God
The Girdle of Truth
The Breastplate of Righteousness
The Shoes of the Preparation of the Gospel
The Shield of Faith
The Helmet of Salvation
The Sword of the Spirit
The Unprotected Area
Weapons of Attack
Taking the Offensive
The Weapon of Prayer
The Weapon of Praise
The Weapon of Preaching
The Weapon of Testimony
Preparing for the Battle
The Leader
The Passion
The Strategy and Tactics
The Plan
The Wounded
War Zone
Clarity
Purpose
Focus and Intensity
Defections
Injury & Death
MASH Units
Victory & Defeat
My hope is someone somewhere will benefit from my efforts to bring this outline to life. The longer I’m in ministry, the more I see the vast need to equip Christians to understand spiritual warfare, or what I tend to call it… the Battle of the Great Commission.
God bless,
Scott Paschal
International Christian Tennis Association
April 17, 2008
Goat Intestine Soup
Who knew God had planned for me to meet, tear down walls, and build bridges with two people in ministry that I hadn’t particularly gotten along with very well before! I’ll explain…
The end of last week and early this week ICTA Women’s Pro Team Outreach journied 210 miles south on I95 to the Ballenisles/USTA $25K Women’s Pro Circuit Event being held at the Ballenisles Country Club, home of Serena Williams.
Our mission team was already pretty tired from having been on the road for most of the last couple of months traveling to as far away as Africa, to locations in the USA such as Birmingham, Alabama and Jackson, Mississippi.
As such, we had basically canceled the Palm Beach Outreach so everyone could rest, go to church, and recharge their batteries. Traveling constantly isn’t easy. It’s hard for anyone.
That said, on Saturday… the day of check-in for the tournament… I felt God overwhelming my thoughts and urging me to go to Palm Beach Gardens. I’ve been in ministry for a while, and I know when God does this we needed to go, even if I have no idea of His plans.
I asked Melody Snelen and Anastasia Kharchenko, two of my longtime students and team members of the ICTA Women’s Pro Tennis Team, if they would go with me. They agreed, quickly packed their suitcases, loaded the van with outreach supplies (bibles, Christian books, ICTA T-Shirts, etc.), and we were soon on our way. Sign-in was between 3pm and 6pm, we had to hurry as the time was nearly 2pm!
Along the way I felt God leading me to make a renewed connection in person with a ministry we hadn’t visited with in a while. From following His lead, God quickly provided over $6500 worth of Christian books and Bibles and CDs at a substantially discounted price to go with what we had already packed for distribution during the outreach.
We loaded the van with the new outreach supplies and on we went, arriving in time for sign-in with just 6 minutes to spare….
Though Ana was entered in the event, that wasn’t why we went. I told her she didn’t even need to play.
Ana’s body was still recovering from her match with former WTA #14, Elina Bovina, who is currently ranked in the 300s during her comeback from a foot injury.
Their marathon match in Alabama went to a tie break in the 3rd set with Elina taking the victory. Both girls were completely physically and emotionally exhausted from their encounter.
Elina pulled out of her upcoming tournaments, and Ana’s entire body was sore for the next 4 days to the point she couldn’t even train.
As we were not in Palm Beach Gardens for my players’ tennis, why did God want us there? I had no idea, but I did know something was going to happen.
After sign-in, Mel and Ana practiced for about an hour. And we gave another player and her coach/husband a book and a Bible…. Pretty routine stuff, so far.
After practice, we sat outside at the club and looked around at how amazingly perfect the facility looked, and we talked about it in comparison to poverty stricken Benin City, Nigeria where we had recently spent a few weeks.
I remembered one situation in Nigeria when we had basically ran out of the food we had brought from Florida. The hotel had a restaurant, think 3rd world here, which Mel and Ana visited to look at the menu. They discovered the soup of the day was made of goat intestines….
Both girls were pretty grossed out! You expect to hear about chicken or beef or potato soup, but not really about the intestines of a goat!
After laughing for a while, we left the club, ate dinner at a Chinese buffet, and checked into our housing.
On Day 2 in Florida the rains came! The day for tennis was basically washed out. But, the opportunity was
prime for ministry outreach! Ana grabbed some books (Captured by Grace by David Jeremiah) and Bibles (a Bible magazine called Refuel)
and began distributing them to anyone who wanted one… or two… or three….
Soon after, I was approached by a guy who thanked me for the gifts. Our tennis missionaries had given ICTA Outreach gifts to him and the entire group he was with. I quickly recognized him as someone I didn’t really much like, but, honestly, didn’t really know.
As we talked I felt God urging me to build bridges, that it was time to move forward and I needed to let the past go, and that God had much work to be completed and my idiotic ego was standing in the way. I soon offered well over 100 books and Bibles to him. He graciously accepted… and walls began crumbling down.
The next day he and a friend, whom I also recognized as someone I didn’t particularly like due to past experiences, from his group watched Ana’s second match of the day when she played Sheika Uberoi. A
fter the match I invited them to meet with me. They eagerly agreed and we sat and talked. Again, walls came tumbling down as Jesus came into full view.
I enjoyed my time meeting with Ryan Fitzwilliams and Lindsay Sullivan. I enjoyed God helping me see them for who they are in Him.
Ryan coaches at a Catholic school, has an outreach to the pro tennis tour (mainly the men), and has a growing sports ministry called Match Point Ministries. Lindsay is nurturing the newly forming tennis aspect of Athletes in Action.
As we talked together, I felt God showing me that this was the reason He needed me in Palm Beach Gardens.
The entire visit was a big band-aid covering and healing old wounds. I shared the history of the International Christian Tennis Association (even from way back in the late 70s/early 80s when it was someone elses’ big dream!). I explained how I began in ministry and why I feel so strongly about championing different causes. And we talked about the future of International Christian Tennis Association…
We talked about mistakes made in the past, both mine and others. We discussed the need to not have competitiveness towards each other in ministry. And God allowed us each to begin, again.
I enjoyed being able to spend time with both Lindsay and Ryan. I’m glad God was able to use Ana to reach them as she was giving away ICTA Outreach gifts, and that through the faithful missionary dedication she showed… a God appointed meeting happened.
After we visited, Ryan and I loaded up his Toyota with ICTA Outreach supplies, and shook hands. I felt like God’s work had been accomplished and had a total peace that Ana, Mel, and I could now begin driving back to Palm Coast.
Sometimes in ministry, people can become possessive and competitive. I believe it is one of Satan’s tools to slow the Great Commission. I am as guilty of it as anyone. Especially when I first started. Now, I realize the importance of understanding that competition between ministries is a first sign of immaturity and insecurity in the ministry leader’s personal walk with Jesus.
Possibly all pastors/ministers go through it. I know I did. By nature, I am ridiculously competitive and like to kick butt in everything I do! But, now I focus my energy on kicking satanic tail… and part of winning against Satan means swallowing pride, apologizing, forgiving, and working together….
The main point of ministry in tennis… of seeing tennis as a harvest field for Christ… is to reach and disciple the lost. Millions of people from religions and cultures worldwide have no interest in Christianity, yet love tennis. Tennis is our common bond.
The field of work for ICTA and AIA and Match Point is intense. Tennis is without question the most difficult ministry field in all of sports.
As such, when someone in tennis is reached or is genuinely seeking Christ, they need to see a unified voice for Christ from caring ministries. They need and deserve to see all of us truly interested in putting self below Jesus to shine as one light in places God has assigned us to harvest and shepherd.
Through this divinely appointed meeting, I believe Lindsay, Ryan, and I have just had our serve cranked up by Coach Jesus, and are ready to look for Satan’s short returns we can smack into the open court for winners.
My heartbeat is for people worldwide to see Christ being reflected by the willingness our three ministries show to grow in unity; to support, lift up, and stand by each other as one body… and to pray for and offer grace to peers who continue to struggle with unforgiveness and competitiveness and jealousy….
Last Saturday night at Ballenisles Country Club after practice, as Ana, Mel, and I were thinking back to International Christian Tennis Association’s 3 week mission trip to Africa, I remembered how I laughed when Ana and Mel first told me the hotel restaurant in Nigeria was serving Goat Intestine Soup. They were grossed out, and it was funny to watch their expressions! I was pretty grossed out, too.
And now as I type I realize that as we sat on court after practice Saturday evening in Palm Beach Gardens and talked, I had absolutely no idea of God’s plans for the trip. We weren’t even planning to be there! Yet, God knew His plans. He is in control.
And He clearly showed He needs a unified voice for Him in tennis!
As my players and I left the tournament and drove north on I95, I felt a complete peace about the purpose and success of this last minute God breathed, God ordained ICTA outreach… I also smiled…
I felt God telling me that when pro tennis players and tennis fans, Christian or not, from countries worldwide think of Him they need to see a unified body of people who truly love Him reflecting everything that He is, that we should all be “serving” our best stuff that He has coached us in…
…and that we shouldn’t be “serving” Goat Intestine Soup!
God bless,
Scott Pachal
International Christian Tennis Association
International Christian Tennis Association 2012 
